Mark Whitehead 16 February 2024

Sharp increase in home schooling, survey shows

Sharp increase in home schooling, survey shows image
Image: goodluz/Shutterstock.com.

A survey of councils in the south of England shows a sharp rise in the number of children being educated at home.

Some parents said schools could not cater for their children's needs.

The data came from 15 councils in Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire for the years 2013-2023.

The highest number of home-schooled children was reported by Hampshire County Council, up from 623 to 3,593.

Dorset Council reported a rise from 15 to 285 children, Oxfordshire County Council's figures rose from 177 to 522 and Wiltshire Council saw an increase from 228 to 952.

Only Bracknell Forest Council reported a fall, from 91 children in 2021 to 87 in 2023.

One parent said: 'I believe that the school system is very much a cookie cutter approach and unfortunately our daughter didn't sit within the cookie cutter shape.'

Another said: 'I think some people, probably for similar reasons to me, want to spend more time with their children. But also the school system, I think, is really struggling to cater for the needs of lots of children.'

Mac Heath, co-chair of the Association of Directors of Children's Services South East region, acknowledged that home education was rising.

But he added: 'I would really urge that if we're ensuring that our children get the best opportunity to thrive, both socially, academically, that we continue to recognise that for most of our children schools are the best place for them.'

A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We support the right of parents to educate their children at home but all children should receive a suitable education regardless of where they are educated.'

Devolution and putting place first image

Devolution and putting place first

The real lesson of Andy Burnham's Makerfield success, argues Dr Jonathan Carr-West, is that place – not personality – is the key to Britain's future.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Trees and Landscape Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£37602 - £45564
Job Title Trees and Landscape ... London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Mental Health Co-ordinator, Kinship, post-order support team

Essex County Council
£24102.00 - £28994.00 per annum
Mental Health Co-ordinator, Kinship, post-order support teamPermanent, Part Time, 18.5 Hours Per Week£24,102 to £28,994 Per Annum Pro-RataLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

ICT Business Support & Development Officer

Essex County Council
£31284.00 - £35721.00 per annum
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit an ICT Business Support & Development Officer on a full-time b England, Essex, Braintree
Recuriter: Essex County Council

ICT Project Officer - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
£31284.0000 - £35721.0000 per annum
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit an ICT Project Manager on a full-time basis.Please click here England, Essex, Braintree
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Corporate Director - Planning

Dorset Council
£97,966 - £126,181
Do you share our ambition for Dorset? Dorset
Recuriter: Dorset Council
Linkedin Banner